Burping and vomiting: what to know

Gastroenteritis, food poisoning, or rotavirus infection may cause vomiting with nausea, cramps, diarrhoea, and burping. Reflux or gallstones can cause upper-abdominal discomfort and sickness. Pancreatitis may cause severe upper-abdominal pain that can spread to the back. Migraine can bring nausea or vomiting with headache and light sensitivity. Meningitis is uncommon but urgent, particularly when vomiting occurs with severe headache, stiff neck, confusion, or a rash. Symptoms alone cannot identify the cause.

Rest and take small, frequent sips of water or an oral rehydration drink. Once fluids stay down, try small amounts of bland food and avoid alcohol and rich meals until you feel better. Wash hands carefully if infection is possible. Note the number of vomiting episodes, urine output, pain, fever, diarrhoea, headache, and any blood or unusual colour in the vomit.

Get urgent medical help for blood or coffee-ground material in vomit, green vomit, severe or localised abdominal pain, a swollen abdomen, fainting, confusion, severe headache, stiff neck, or a rash. Seek advice promptly if you cannot keep fluids down, pass very little urine, or become unusually sleepy. Children, older adults, and people with significant medical conditions can become dehydrated quickly.

Ask whether you need an examination, fluids, anti-sickness treatment, or tests. Tell the clinician about recent food, travel, sick contacts, medicines, pregnancy possibility, headache, abdominal pain, and urine changes.